Dental x-ray film packet holder



Feb. 28, 1956 A. LEDERMAN ET AL DENTAL X-RAY FILM PACKET HOLDER Filed March 21, 1952 FIGZ I NVENTORS ALBERT LEDERMAN PAUL B. LEDERMAN 2 AZORNEY United States Patent DENTAL X-RAY FILM PACKET HOLDER Albert Lederman and Paul B. Lederman, Cleveland Heights, Ohio Application March 21, 1952, Serial No. 277,808

1 Claim. (Cl. 250-70) The present invention relates to a device for holding X-ray film packets in the mouths of dental patients for making radiographs thereof.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an X-ray film packet holder of the character referred to comprising an elongated member which can be gripped comfortably between the teeth and having a leg extending along one side thereof to provide a slot on the inside of the patients jaws, which slot is open at the top, bottom and one end thereof for the reception of an X-ray film packet which is frictionally held by the leg and side of the member adjacent to the leg. The slot provided by the leg enables the film packet to be placed in the most advantageous positions according to the circumstances of the particular mouth to be radiographed, since the packet may be extended as desired into the lower or the upper parts of the mouth and can be extended rearwardly of the holder proper. Preferably, the length of the member to be gripped by the teeth is such that irregularities of the dentitions will firmly grip the member.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred form of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an X-ray film packet holder embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the film packet holder in the mouth of a person and supporting a film packet therein; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the film packet holder in the mouth of a person supporting a film packet extending rearwardly of the holder proper.

In its preferred form, the film packet holder is made of a suitable plastic material which is elastic or slightly resilient, which can be boiled for sterilization and which does not interfere with the passage of X-rays therethrough. For example, the device could be formed of nylon. The holder is preferably cast and comprises a main body 5 having a leg 6 formed integral therewith and separated from the main body by a narrow slot 7, which slot is slightly narrower than the thickness of the usual dental X-ray film packet so that such packets can be inserted between the leg and body and frictionally held in place therebetween.

2,736,814 Patented Feb. 28, 1956 We have found that it is desirable to form the main body approximately two inches long, one-fourth inch thick and three-eighths of an inch wide. The leg 6 is preferably one-quarter of an inch wide and the closed end of the slot lies about one-half inch from the end of the body. These dimensions provide a comfortable bite for the patient to firmly hold the device between his teeth, and it enables the dentist to manipulate the holder to place it to the best advantage in the patients mouth. It is to be understood that other dimensions could be adopted, if desired.

The slot 7, formed by the body 5 and the leg 6, enables a film packet to be placed therein with a part thereof extending from either the top, bottom or the end of the slot so that it can be positioned in the desired location relative to either the upper or lower jaw, and in the event the part of the mouth rearwardly of the position in which the holder is held is to be radiographed, can be extended from the rear of the slot.

It is apparent that by our invention we have provided a holder for dental X-ray film packets which is inexpensive to manufacture, comfortable for patients to grip between their jaws and which secures the film packets in the most advantageous positions for the particular radiograph desired, The holders can be made of material which can be easily sterilized and maintained antiseptic so that they can be used repeatedly.

While we have described but one form of the invention, it is to be understood that other forms, modifications, adaptations and uses could be employed, all of which fall within the scope of the claims which follow.

Having described the preferred embodiment of our invention we claim:

An X-ray dental film packet holder, comprising an elongated body approximately two inches in length and onefourth of an inch thick for providing ease in gripping between the jaws of a person, and a leg attached at one end to said body approximately one-half of an inch from one end thereof and extending alongside said body to approximately the opposite end thereof, said leg being yieldingly separated from said body to receive an X-ray film packet therebetween and to frictionally engage said packet substantially across one face thereof to secure said packet in a position to project beyond either of the planes of the surfaces of the body adapted to be engaged by the persons jaws, the portion at said one end of said body beyond said one end of said leg forming a finger grip area for manipulation of the film packet holder by the operator in placing the holder between the jaws of a person.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,906,223 Buck May 2, 1933 2,005,993 Heron et al. June 25, 1935 2,035,051 Daly Mar. 24, 1936 2,392,109 Vlock Jan. 1, 1946 2,522,201 Stern Sept. 12, 1950 2,612,609 Bowser Sept. 30, 1952 

